Good morning, I hope that everyone who reads this is having a great week. I’m feeling quite relaxed as the weekend is rapidly approaching. I can’t run at the moment which isn’t ideal but it does mean that I have a bit more time to update my blog.

The True Cost of Running post I published earlier this year turned out to be pretty popular, so I decided to review and to share how much I’ve spent on running related purchases this year. I’m aware that 2019 isn’t over yet but I can’t run so I won’t be spending any more money on running this year.

After realising I’d spent £1391.51 on running related bits and pieces last year, I unsubscribed from a lot of running brands email distribution lists. My theory was that if I didn’t receive so many emails I wouldn’t be tempted by loads of special offers and must buy purchases. A case of out of sight, out of mind…

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Whenever I did buy anything, I tried to make use of cheaper options such as TK Maxx and second-hand selling sites on Facebook.

After taking these precautions and being more mindful of what I was buying, I was quietly confident I would have managed to spend less than £1391.51.

I think it’s safe to say that I found going through my expenditure spreadsheets – yes, I’m a stats geek so I have spreadsheets for most things – a slightly uncomfortable process. Working how much money I’d wasted on races I had to ‘DNS’ due to injury was not my idea of fun.

Anyway, I’m aware that I’m repeating myself, but I really, really hope that my family don’t read this post!

Running clothes and trainers

• Feetures running socks – £6
• Feetures running socks – £6
• Feetures running socks – £6
• adidas training shorts – £28.90
• parkrun apricot t-shirt – £33
• Mondetta racetime sports bra – £9.99
• MPG shorts – £12.99
• Lululemon shorts – £58
• Nike running leggings (RMR second hand) – £14
• Sweaty Betty seamless merino jumper – £58
• RBX running t-shirt – £7.99
• Under Armour running vest – £8
• Saucony sports bra – £8
• parkrun t-shirt – £19.99
• Reflect 360 women’s running gilet – £59.49
• Marika running tights – £14.99
• Fetch Everyone anniversary vest – £26
• parkrun t-shirt – £8.99
• Black reflective camouflage top – £14.99
• Christmas pattern running top – £9.90

TOTAL: £411.22

Running accessories

• Nike sports sunglasses – £34.99
• MTA fitness arm band – £6.99
• Replacement strap for Garmin 220 – £15.95
• RU2C bobble hat – £12
• Enertor insoles – £22.50

TOTAL: £92.43

Running related books

• Cook, Eat, Run cookbook – £15
• The Smoke (RMR second hand) – £6
• Run like Duck (RMR second hand) – £6.25
• Hanson’s Marathon (RMR second hand) – £6
• Daniels’ Running Formula (charity shop) – £4
• Runner’s World Cookbook (RMR second hand) – £9.50

TOTAL: £46.75

Race entries

• Birmingham Winter Warmer 10k – £20.90 (DNS)
• Vitality Big Half – £35 (DNS)
• London Landmarks Half – £55 (DNS)
• Cathedral to Castle 10 mile – £25 (DNS)
• Market Drayton 10k – £21 (DNS)
• Wallingford Thames 10k – £13 (DNS)
• Vitality London 10,000 – £0 (free parkrun entry) (DNS)
• Shenstone Fun Run – £20
• Lake Vyrnwy Half – £27 (DNS)
• Bournville Leafy 10k – £16 (DNS)
• Snowdonia Marathon – £0 (DNS but was able to transfer my entry)
• Birmingham MoRun 10k – £0 (free as I blogged about the event) (DNS)
• Wheaton Aston 10k – £19.75

TOTAL: £252.65

Virtual races

• Run up to Christmas 2019 virtual race – £14

TOTAL: £14.00

Travel and accommodation

• Accommodation for Vitality London 10,000 – £51

TOTAL: £51.00

Running clubs

• Fetch Everyone annual membership – £26
• Life membership of Run Things running club – £25

TOTAL: £51.00

 Blogging

• Blog header design – £30
• PhD blog domain renewal – £15
• New blog template – £34.55
• Cost of hosting – £59.94

TOTAL: £139.49

Miscellaneous

• Active Collagen Supplement – £32.39
• DNA Body Fit kit – £96.85
• SiS immune 20 effervescent tablets – £4.99
• Trial pack of revvies energy sticks – £9.50
• Exercise bike – £99.99

TOTAL: £243.72

**GRAND TOTAL: £1302.26**

So much for spending less money this year! I must admit that I felt quite embarrassed when I realised how much I’d spent. The fact that I managed to DNS quite a few races didn’t help. I’ve said it before, but I wish that more event organisers would allow race transfers.

Like last year, some of the most expensive purchases were what I’d describe as one-off investments; for example the exercise bike and the DNA Body Fit Kit. However, I still spent a lot more than I thought.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom as I’ve actually sold quite a lot of my unwanted running gear this year. These second-hand running sites aren’t all bad. I’ve just done a very quick look at my ‘eBay sales and Facebook’ spreadsheet – see, I told you I love spreadsheets – and I estimate I made approximately £500 selling my unwanted running gear online.

If you have the time to sell online, Facebook selling groups such as the Run Mummy Run – 2^nd Hand Running Items group  and the  Running Gear Buy and Sell group are both great place to start. And you don’t have to pay eBay’s ridiculous selling fees.

I would end by saying that I hope that 2020 is a slightly less expensive year but I’ve already spent £254 on race entries and £185 on the Marathon Talk Run Camp. I’ve also entered the ballot for the Chicago Marathon and now have my fingers crossed I don’t get a place as since sticking my name in the ballot, I’ve picked up what I suspect is a quite serious knee injury.

Arraggghhhhh!

Have you ever worked out how much money you spend on running in a year? After a published my last cost of running post loads of people said they were going to work out how much they spent on running in a year. It would be great to get an idea of how much other runners spend.

Do you set yourself a running budget? With the exception of the races I’ve already entered, I’m going to be more selective when it comes to entering races in 2020.

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